Iowa’s “heartbeat” bill is the strictest abortion regulation in the country

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Friday signed a bill that bans doctors from performing abortions just six weeks after conception. This is before many women even know they are pregnant.

“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred,” said Governor Reynolds at the signing ceremony. “I understand that not everyone will agree with this decision, but if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesn’t a beating heart indicate life?”

Iowa’s “heartbeat” bill makes exemptions for rape, incest, and cases in which the mother’s life is in danger. It provides immunity to women who seek abortions in spite of the law but punishes doctors who perform illegal procedures. It also restricts the use of fetal tissue in research.

The Implication

The victory in Iowa comes amid a nationwide push for stricter abortion laws from conservative lawmakers who hope an influx of right-leaning judicial appointments under President Trump could give them a chance to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“The bold pro-life action taken by the Iowa legislature reflects growing national pro-life sentiment and restlessness under the extreme status quo imposed by Roe v. Wade,” says Marjorie Dannenfelser, who leads the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List. “While Roe has not yet been reversed, it has been soundly rejected in the court of opinion. ”

The ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and others have already promised to challenge the law.

“We know that abortion bans don’t end abortion,” argues Des Moines resident Jennifer Weatherby, 32, who joined pro-choice supporters Friday at the Capitol Building to oppose the bill. “This just ends safe abortion.”

Iowa’s House of Representatives passed the bill Tuesday after a small group of Republicans threatened to withhold their votes on critical budget bills until the measure was brought to the floor. It was approved by the Senate at 2:30am that morning.